Spring has truly sprung at Adelaide Zoo, with an abundance of natural flora and fauna in full bloom along with a string of cute spring babies!
The Tamarin House in particular has seen a spike in residents, including the birth of one of the world’s smallest monkeys, a Pygmy Marmoset, as well as a set of endangered Golden Lion Tamarin twins.
Adelaide Zoo Primate Keeper, Mandy Smith say it’s both an exciting and busy time for the primate team looking after the tiny arrivals as well as preparing for the birth of Karta, a Sumatran Orangutan in the coming weeks.
“Both sets of monkeys and their family groups are thriving, it’s always lovely to see how each family welcomes and adjusts to life with new infants,” Mandy said.
“Golden Lion Tamarins and Pygmy Marmosets are extremely social animals who rely on tight family structures, with siblings and both mum and dad playing important roles in rearing the bubs. So far each group is doing a great job at doting on the little ones, each taking a turn carrying them on their backs.”
Pygmy Marmosets are the second smallest monkey in the world, weighing in around 110-140 grams and growing to just 15 centimetres long. Native to the Amazonian Rainforests, they display squirrel-like movements – running up and down tree trunks and leaping up to five metres at a time.
Golden Lion Tamarins on the other hand are found along the coast of Brazil and are an endangered species due to deforestation and fragmentation as well as the illegal pet trade. As such, these two babies are integral to the international breeding program.
The zoo is thrilled to continue their breeding success with both species, with the new bubs taking the total of Golden Lion Tamarins born at the zoo since 1980 to 67 and the Pygmy Marmosets to a total of 17.
Other recent births at the zoo add to the growing South American population with five Patagonian Mara and two South American Capybara all born on 7 October in front of excited zoo visitors.
Monarto Zoo has also experienced a baby boom with more than 10 Barbary sheep and three American Bison calves joining the zoo family in recent weeks.
The zoo is encouraging the public to take advantage of the beautiful spring weather and visit the newbies at each site.
For more information visit the Adelaide Zoo website.
